Matt Forte: Devin Hester should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer

The Bears recognized running back Matt Forte and kick returner Devin Hester at a retirement ceremony on Monday, and Forte made the case that Hester should get a bust in Canton.

Forte said that even though Hester was a punt and kickoff returner and played only sparingly outside special teams, that contribution in the kicking game is enough.

“He changed the game,” Forte said. “I mean, literally, changed the game. If you can affect the game like that, he’s gotta be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. The definition of a Hall of Famer is somebody who changed the game — like defenses and coaches had to carve out certain time to assess that particular guy. There’s not going to be another Devin Hester ever, I don’t believe.”

Hester noted the possibility that he could be the last kickoff returner in Canton, as the kickoff may be going away.

“It’s a big part of football, it’s one of the most exciting plays when you’re playing this game of football,” Hester said. “At the end of the day, if I’m the last, if I’m the one to be the best at the return game, it’s an honor. But at the same time, I want to continue to see it play out.”

Hester is a player that today’s generation will tell future generations about — in part because future generations won’t witness kickoff returns.

Devin Hester was the most exciting player I have ever watched. He could win games for the Bears just by returning kicks. Teams would rather give the ball to the Bears on the 50 rather than kick it in the end zone to Hester. I have never seen teams scared of any other player to that degree before. He should be in the HoF.

Dave Toub was a huge part of Devin’s success and he probably should have been made Head Coach instead of being released. Hester was part of that purge and he, nor the Bears, have been quite the same since. He’s good enough to be first ballot, but probably won’t be. Good luck to him and Matt Forte in their retirements.

He was amazing. But Brian Mitchell was way more consistent, and he isn’t in. I don’t know. I think both should be in, and both should be (or have been) 1st ballot guys, but the voters clearly have an agenda when it comes to special teams.

I don’t agree, fun to watch but if you’re going to put him in there (especially first ballot), why not consider the SEVEN returners ahead of him in yards, one of which has 8000-9000 yards more over a similar career? Where’s Josh Cribbs, who had more kickoffs returned for TDs, or Eric Metcalf who was just 4 punt returned for TDs behind Hester?

Based on these stats there are plenty of specialists who should qualify, but they haven’t. Personally I think the Hall is too skewed to money positions (I don’t call them skill positions, because it takes a lot of skill to play the Line as well) but first ballot HoF? I don’t think so.

GOAT. It’s not even a debate. Think of how many more scores he would have had if teams actually kicked to him. He gave the Bears ridiculous field position every time, even when he didn’t touch the ball. Imagine what they could have done if they had a marginally competent QB at any point during his tenure. I agree with Forte.

i’m sorry but Hester is NOT a Hall of Famer, he was an excellent “kick returner” and an average receiver but when was the last time a kick returner made the H.O.F. just based on his kick returning skills, if he was a very good receiver then it would be a no brainer that he should be in.

I get the reason, but honestly it’s hard to get a special teams only player in because their overall impact on the game is lessened to a dramatic extent. When you look at the macro of the game, they have minimal impact. Maybe a couple touches a game. Even a kicker has a much greater impact that a returner.

He averaged what, 2 TDs a year during his career? Is Canton really that desperate? As a returner, you have 10 guys blocking for you on every play. What did he ever accomplish as a WR? Nothing. Sorry folks, no HoF for a special teamer.

My question to those who watched him more than me, how is it possible he was such an incredible talent in the return game, but never was able to duplicate that talent anywhere else. Seems if someone is that elusive you would find a way to get the ball in his hands on offense.

Let’s pick a position and apply an example, such as Running Back. A Tier 1 guy: Terrell Davis. He had some amazing seasons, but very short career. Tier 2 guy: Marshall Faulk. He could run, catch, won the big game. Tier 3: Emmitt Smith. He walked the talk, talked the talk. All time leader in rushing yards, 3x Super Bowls, Super Bowl MVP, League MVP, the accolades go on and on.

If it were organized this way, then I’d be OK with putting guys like Hester in. So long as his bust is bronze, and people understand he was an above average guy — but not Elite. Otherwise, you’re diminishing the value of HOF the same as the once reputable accomplishment of being selected to the Pro Bowl.

Ya, right after Dante Hall… And a few of those Punters who were remarkable holders… And those guys who warm up the QB’s, what are they called? Oh ya, backup QB’s, ya get a couple of them in Canton too.

Hester was fun to watch, for about 3 years, but let’s not get carried away.

Great returner, but if you cant get on the field for offense, you shouldn’t be a first ballot HOF. With all of the great players waiting to get in due to the cap of 5, sending a returner in, and making guys like TO wait is abhorrent.

While impressive (av pr 11.7, av kr 24.9), it is just too one-dimensional and overlooks 41 fumbles. Take Julian Edelman, his av pr is also 11.7, and his av kr is 20.9 (and only 21 fumbles). But he’s not done as many returns as Hester because he’s also one of the league’s best slots who normally leads the Pats in yards so they keep looking for others to take/share returns. Sorry Devin, you were great in one aspect but to me you’re like 1/10th of an Edelman.

Bear fans need something to cheer for. He was exciting to watch on what, 200 of 600 plays? Kickoff return, punt return are the hardest jobs on the football field. But he’s not a first ballot HOF. He’s not over 15,000 in all purpose yards (just behind Forte). What about Eric Metcalf or Brian Mitchell (Mitchell has almost 9,000 more all purpose yards than Hester).

Special Teams players are woefully underrepresented in the HOF. With the current climate in the NFL seemingly leading to the eventual removal of the Kick Return we need to push to have return specialists added to the Hall as soon as possible.

That being said I don’t necessarily agree that a return man should be a first ballot HOFer, but Devin Hester is inarguably the greatest return man in NFL history and he definitely belongs in Canton.

dejadoh says:
April 24, 2018 at 9:10 am
Bear fans need something to cheer for. He was exciting to watch on what, 200 of 600 plays? Kickoff return, punt return are the hardest jobs on the football field. But he’s not a first ballot HOF. He’s not over 15,000 in all purpose yards (just behind Forte). What about Eric Metcalf or Brian Mitchell (Mitchell has almost 9,000 more all purpose yards than Hester).

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Agreed. The greatest punt returner ever in terms of YPR is Julian Edelman. Factor that in and his other accomplishments all around, and this makes him a HOF candidate because he has historical impact in the return game?

I think Hester should be considered, but in no way is a STs player a slam dunk 1st ballot guy.

“The definition of a Hall of Famer is somebody who changed the game”
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How did Tony Dungy change the game?

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I get that it’s easy to name a bunch of Hall of Famers that didn’t exactly “change the game,” but you named the wrong one. The Tampa 2 defense that Dungy installed in TB is *still* used by every team in the league at least in part and sometimes as the base defense. Dungy is also the first black coach to win a Super Bowl, which likely opened the door for a lot of other guys. You might even give him a little credit for building the Tampa team that won the Super Bowl if you want a cherry on top.

As a life-long Packer fan, I can’t say that I miss Hester or Tillman’s Peanut Punch crap. But yes, Hester is an absolute Hall of Famer. Desmond Howard was a Super Bowl MVP, his kick and punt returns pretty much won XXXI, along with White’s sacks. But these guys can be game changers and Hester was the greatest returner ever.

“… Let’s pick a position and apply an example, such as Running Back. A Tier 1 guy: Terrell Davis. He had some amazing seasons, but very short career. Tier 2 guy: Marshall Faulk. He could run, catch, won the big game. Tier 3: Emmitt Smith. He walked the talk, talked the talk. All time leader in rushing yards, 3x Super Bowls, Super Bowl MVP, League MVP, the accolades go on and on ….”
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I’m sorry but this is no way to judge greatness. Anthony Munoz doesn’t have any of those accolades, is he not great?

I agree that he belongs in the HOF but maybe not a first ballot. First Ballot players should be reserved for players who are outstanding at their primary position. Hester although he was an amazing return guy, was a bad to below average wide receiver which is his primary position. No player ever does Kickoff’s only, but are expected to play their primary position along with the kickoff returner. Now if Hester was a decent or even average receiver, along with his kick off amazing play, I would agree that he belongs a first ballot HOF.

hailtothenamechange says:
April 24, 2018 at 9:53 am
“The definition of a Hall of Famer is somebody who changed the game”
=========================================

How did Tony Dungy change the game?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I get that it’s easy to name a bunch of Hall of Famers that didn’t exactly “change the game,” but you named the wrong one. The Tampa 2 defense that Dungy installed in TB is *still* used by every team in the league at least in part and sometimes as the base defense. Dungy is also the first black coach to win a Super Bowl, which likely opened the door for a lot of other guys. You might even give him a little credit for building the Tampa team that won the Super Bowl if you want a cherry on top.

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Why isn’t Tom Flores in as the FIRST MINORITY coach to win TWO SUPER BOWLS?

Also, it was Monte Kiffin’s D in TB. Dungy’s Ds sucked donkey dung the entire time he was in Indy with Peyton Manning as his QB.

I think Hester is a great player and he did revolutionized the kick return game, however, that does not automatically qualify him for the Hall. His team contributions have been deservedly recognized, but I do not believe his overall contributions to the game of football are on pace with the other greats that have already been enshrined.

ajzinnecker says:
April 24, 2018 at 10:15 am
I agree that he belongs in the HOF but maybe not a first ballot. First Ballot players should be reserved for players who are outstanding at their primary position.

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ALL players inducted should be outstanding at their primary position should they not?

Much like our country’s attitude on “everybody getting a tropy”, the HOF has become watered down. Jerome Bettis? Terrell Davis? Please…. It’s actually a slap in the face to guys who truly deserved it.

I’m sorry but this is no way to judge greatness. Anthony Munoz doesn’t have any of those accolades, is he not great?
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Is Anthony Munoz a running back? Obviously, you rank among peers. Not cross-positional accolades.

getadealdonealready says:
My question to those who watched him more than me, how is it possible he was such an incredible talent in the return game, but never was able to duplicate that talent anywhere else. Seems if someone is that elusive you would find a way to get the ball in his hands on offense.
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When he left the Bears, he was getting older. Also, the NFL changed the kickoff blocking rules.

There have only been two special teams players make it into the HoF–Jan Stenerud (PK) and Ray Guy (P). Both made an impact in every game they played. Ray Guy gave Oakland a huge advantage in the field position battle after every punt. Stenerud won many games with his foot. Normally I’d agree that special teams players don’t really belong in the HoF but I agree with these two, especially Ray Guy. Devin Hester accounted for 19 return TDs (14 PR, 5KR, 1 missed FG return). His 14 TDs returning punts is four more than the second guy (Eric Metcalf) and five more than Brian Mitchell. Deion Sanders had six.

Does he belong in the HoF? I guess the voters will determine that. All I know was you were on the edge of your seat when he was back returning a punt because you never knew when he was going to break one. He affected the game as much if not more than Ray Guy and Jan Stenerud (nothing against them). He holds TEN NFL records related to returns. In my opinion, he deserves to be in Canton.

ajzinnecker says:
April 24, 2018 at 10:15 am
I agree that he belongs in the HOF but maybe not a first ballot. First Ballot players should be reserved for players who are outstanding at their primary position.

————

ALL players inducted should be outstanding at their primary position should they not?

Much like our country’s attitude on “everybody getting a tropy”, the HOF has become watered down. Jerome Bettis? Terrell Davis? Please…. It’s actually a slap in the face to guys who truly deserved it.

—————-

I still think Hester deserve to get in. He is the best of all time in returns. I just don’t think he should get in for a long time because he was not a good receiver.

I agree that Bettis and Davis don’t belong in there. Especially Davis. He did not play very long and has little to no records.

He’d have my vote. Best returner I ever saw. All of this directional kicking started to avoid kicking the ball to him. It extended to others, too, but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s like the shift in baseball. It started with Ted Williams but to say anyone else they’re doing it to is as good as Ted Williams is ridiculous.

He should be in the Hall of Fame. I just don’t think he will get in on first ballot. Maybe he has to wait four or five years on the finalists list before he can get it. It will still be a huge honor to be a specialist in the Hall.